The Natick-based Laboratory Safety Institute (LSI) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Stephen Taylor, Ph.D., as its new executive director. Taylor’s mission-driven passion and diverse scientific background make him an ideal leader for LSI as it continues its commitment to promoting safer science.

James Kaufman, Ph.D., of Wellesley, founded LSI in 1978 as an international nonprofit education center for laboratory safety. For more than four decades, it has provided safety courses to more than 100,000 scientists, teachers, and other professionals in 30 countries.

Taylor brings to LSI decades of experience in teaching and research at University of Cincinnati, Purdue University and The Shepherd Chemical Company. Prior to joining LSI, he helped lead the growth of two startups, Narratize and Untold Content, focusing on innovation storytelling and generative AI.As the newly appointed Executive Director, Taylor will lead LSI into 2024 with a vision focused on integrating core safety principles in every aspect of primary and secondary education, building a future workforce that is prepared for the high safety standards of tomorrow's companies.

Central to Taylor's new initiatives is the launch of the inaugural K-12 STEAM SaferScience Lab Summit. This groundbreaking event aims to bridge the gap between safety knowledge and application in STEAM education, fostering safety culture from the ground up. LSI will also establish a comprehensive digital platform to help K-12 schools implement best practices in safer science education while navigating the complexities of regulatory compliance at local and national levels.

LSI’s past presidents, Jim Kaufman, Ph.D., and Raj Santhappa, M.D., continue to teach LSI’s live online and in-person courses and provide program development services.

Join Taylor for a free webinar Friday, April 19 at 11:00 a.m. as he speaks his vision for the future of safety in education. Register at labsafety.org.